I. Introduction
Taeyang (태양; also known as SOL in Japan) is a South Korean singer under YG Entertainment. He is a member of the boy group BIGBANG and its sub-unit GD X TAEYANG.
He made his solo debut on May 22, 2008 with his first mini album Hot.
II. Personal Life
Relationship
On June 2, 2015, it was revealed that he is in a relationship with actress Min Hyo Rin since 2013, which he met on the set of "1AM" music video.
In December 2017, it was confirmed by their respective agencies that they planned to marry in February 2018. On February 3, 2018, Taeyang and Min married in a private ceremony with family and friends, officiated by actor Ki Tae-young.
On September 27, 2021, Min Hyo Rin’s agency confirmed she is currently pregnant and is expected to give birth soon. On December 6, 2021, YG Entertainment confirmed that the couple recently welcomed their first child, a son.
Military service
On February 15, 2018, YG Entertainment confirmed that Taeyang is set to enlist as an active-duty soldier on March 12. He was discharged on November 10, 2019.
III. Discography
Korean
Studio albums
- Solar (2010)
- Rise (2014)
- White Night (2017)
Mini albums
- Hot (2008)
Digital singles
- "Where U At" (2009)
- "Wedding Dress" (2009)
- "Ringa Linga" (2013)
- "Ringa Linga (Shockbit Remix)" (2013)
- "Louder" (2018)
Promotional singles
- "So Good" (for Lexus) (2017)
- "Louder" (for 2018 Winter Olympics) (2018)
Collaborations and features
- Wheesung - "Player" (2003)
- SE7EN - "Run" (2006)
- SE7EN - "Give Me Permission" (2006)
- Lexy - "Get Up" (2007)
- Lexy - "Rush" (2007)
- Lexy - "Super Fly" (with G-Dragon and T.O.P) (2007)
- Johan Kim - "Should Have Loved You Less" (2007)
- YMGA - "Real Talk" (2008)
- Swings - "By Instinct Remix" (with Yoon Jong-shin) (2011)
- Tablo - "Tomorrow" (2011)
- Seungri - "Let's Talk About Love" (with G-Dragon) (2013)
- Epik High - "Rich" (2014)
- Mino - "Fear" (2015)
- PSY - "Love" (2017)
- Peejay - "Warigari" (with Kush) (2017)
Japanese
Studio albums
- Rise + Solar & Hot (2014)
Live albums
- SOL 1st 2nd Live Concert "Hot" & "Solar"
- SOL Japan Tour "Rise" 2014 (2014)
- Taeyang 2017 World Tour "White Night" in Japan (2018)
Digital singles
- "Fall In Love" (with Thelma Aoyama) (2010)
Collaborations and Features
- M-Flo - "Go Crazy" (2014)
IV. Filmography
Reality Shows
- Real Sound by Taeyang (OnStyle, 2010)
- MIXNINE (JTBC, 2017-2018) - judge
- Livin' The Double Life (tvN, 2017-2018)
V. Awards
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated Work |
| 2008 | Naver Music Awards | Song of the Year | "Only Look at Me" |
| 2009 | Korean Music Awards | Best R&B/Soul Song | "Only Look at Me" |
| 2009 | Korean Music Awards | Best R&B/Soul Album | Hot |
| 2010 | Mnet Asian Music Awards | Best Male Artist | "I'll Be There" |
| 2010 | Korean Popular Culture & Arts Awards | Minister Commendation for Culture and Tourism | Himself |
| 2011 | Korean Music Awards | Netizen's Choice: Male Musician of the Year | Himself |
| 2014 | Gaon Chart Music Awards | Song of the Year (June) | "Eyes, Nose, Lips" |
| 2014 | MBN Awards | Best Album | Rise |
| 2014 | Melon Music Awards | Top 10 | Himself |
| 2014 | Melon Music Awards | Song of the Year | "Eyes, Nose Lips" |
| 2014 | Mnet Asian Music Awards | Song of the Year | "Eyes, Nose Lips" |
| 2014 | Mnet Asian Music Awards | Best Male Artist | Himself |
| 2015 | Golden Disc Awards | Digital Bonsang (Song of the Year) | "Eyes, Nose, Lips" |
| 2015 | Golden Disc Awards | Digital Bonsang | Himself |
| 2015 | Melon Music Awards | Hot Trend Award 2015 | Infinite Challenge Festival |
| 2015 | YinYuTai V-Chart Awards | Best Male Artist | Himself |
| 2015 | Red Dot Design Awards | Communication Design | Rise |
| 2016 | iF Design Awards | Album Design | Rise |
VI. Trivia
– He was born in Ujeongbu, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.
– He has older brother, actor Dong Hyun-bae.
– His stage name Taeyang means Sun.
– He can play the piano.
– He can speak English, Japanese, and Korean.
– He knows G-Dragon since he was 12, since they were training together.
– Initially, Taeyang and G-DRAGON prepared six years to debut as a hip-hop duo, GDYB, but the plan changed and 3 more members have been added.
– His first kiss was in the MV for his first solo single “My Girl“.
– If he was a girl, he would date Daesung.
– In 2013, he began dating actress Jung Eunran, better known by her stage name Min Hyorin.
– He is known as a devout catholic, he has several tattoos that are inspired by his faith.
– His favorite food is Yakiniku (grilled meat dishes)
– TaeYang is known for his impressive vocal abilities, he was actually trained to be a rapper but debuted in BIGBANG as a singer.
– Taeyang is ranked 41st on TC Candler “The 100 Most Handsome Faces of 2018”.
